Annual Report -13- 



The Division waa aucoessful with a wajor apple promotion, a 

 '-reenhouae tiomato prosiotlon end saveral other special promotJ.ons. 

 It elao had fruit, vefjotable and flower exhibits at the Brockton 

 Ffllr, the Fas tern State 8 Fxponltlor, and the New EnglPnd Plovrp Show. 



Many problems In agriculture have concerned the Division of 

 Markets this year but again the two most frustrating conoefned the 

 plight of the Port of Boston end the problem of Insufficient labor 

 for the harvesting of fruits end vegetables. Neither of these appears 

 easy of solution. 



The Port of Boston has the potential for being the boat port on 

 the entire East Coast. It has the deepest natural harbor wblrh could 

 readily handle super ei'rgo vesoels. It is closer to Europe by several 

 hours than nil other ports. But because of continuing labor disputes, 

 poor equlFwent and a general erosion of ell facilities, Boston Is now 

 recognized as a second class port of call. 



Because of its seasonal nature, agriculture is continually faced 

 with R labor probler and at no time Is this more crucial and pressing 

 than at hsrveat tlr.e. At one time this problem was (rreatly eased by 

 Importing labor from outside the country, fros: Canada, Mexico and 

 Puerto Rico, as examples. But over the pest few years these sources 

 have been rraduelly closed by the T7.S. Department of Labor, meklng 

 it Imperetlvp to find new sources. The Division of Markets Is ever 

 on the alert to locate stich possible aoureea. 



In conclualon, because of constant changes in marketing prnrtloes, 

 the Division of Markets staff finds Itself boconlng more and more 

 Involved In many new services and activities. This means spreading 

 our personnel thinner and thinner over the many dutlea with which 

 we ere charged and gone servlees ape necessarily slighted. 



